I got the flu one week before Christmas and didnt shake the flu symptoms until 3 week later (days ago).

However, I've had trouble swallowing months before last month. And while achy itchy throat is one thing, but ongoing trouble swallowing to the point
one is choking on bananas, bread, even just coffee or veggie smoothie, is just excessive and kinda life threatening.

Anyways I hope its not a regional problem because I'm not leaving CA for another state - if I have to leave, might as well get out of the whole area
between Japan, Hawaii, and Europe.

My family are from the mediterranean and central east asia, maybe I will go there but only if/when US SHTF or theres nuclear fallout.

This is going to sound totally mad, and 'out there' but I know you're a gardener, like myself. Last year, I bought a fresh bag of compost for sowing
seeds, and when I opened it, a cloud of fumes (Not the right word probably) came out, and as my head was close to the bag opening, I inhaled some of
those fumes. Later that day, I noticed my throat getting sore. Over the next few days, it got to the point where I could hardly breath or eat. Long
story short, after about 4 weeks I sought medical advice. Apparently it was a reaction to these fumes I'd inhaled. No meds needed. It just went away
again.

It's a long shot, but can you recall doing similar when the trouble started?

We are on the West Coast Ca also and my husband has this problem but it started before the disaster in Japan.

I have looked it up and it is common, a feeling of an obstruction when swallowing. He complains of the discomfort all the time but the Dr said there
is nothing wrong. Just look it up, it just seems to be a feeling and effects a lot of people.

We've had the flu out here in flyover and aside from an extremely irritated throat that really bothers me most mornings when I first wake up and
doesn't straighten out until I've had about a gallon (exaggeration) of hot tea, we're over it, but it's been since before Christmas on the flu and
throat.

My point is that some of the stuff going around right now takes a while to clear up.

Hi everyone, I just created a new account here to reply to this topic because I might have an answer for you.

First question: Do you hav a smartphone or tablet?
second : How often and how long do you use them continiously?
third : Do you pay attention to your posture when using those devices?

I ask those questions because I have a lot of people in my practise with similar complaints. I am a sportmasseur and most people can be helped to
overcome those complaints with a neck/throat massage and some advise on posture. In your neck you have a whole bunch of muscles which can become
strained from wrong posture when using a smartphone. If you have your head tilted forward with your chin towards your chest you tense those musles
around your throat and larynx, which can cause those kind of complaints.

More and more people with similar complaints are coming in since most people carry smartphones nowadays. Prolonged use without paying attention to how
your posture is when using those devices is most likely causing your problem.

Instead of lowering your head, bring your arms up when holding you phone.

OP just go to the doctor. You don't have radiation poisoning. I get a weird throat thing sometimes when the weather changes. I sleep with my
enormous yapper wide open and my throat dries out, wake up with a mild sore throat/goofy lump thing. I've also on occasion yawned so hard reading my
own posts that I've strained something. This has also happened from exercise. Also from yelling at sporting events. There are many culprits for
painful swallowing, about the last of which you should be worried about is radiation poisoning. Just because a few other people agreed with you
doesn't mean squat, people are a little too quick to commiserate with someone complaining by pretending to have the same ailment. I would think there
would be a flood of interwebs complaints from tons of people if Californians were getting radiation poisoning.

Maybe you and your buddies are chanting too hard or something. *Smiley face with tongue sticking out playfully*.

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